MMA star Conor McGregor found guilty of sexual assault in 2018

An Irish civil jury has found UFC superstar Conor McGregor responsible for the sexual assault of a woman in a Dublin hotel room in December 2018.

The High Court in Dublin ordered McGregor to pay the victim €248,000 (NZ$443,000).

No criminal charges have been brought in connection with the incident, which allegedly occurred after they met at a Christmas party in Dublin. The woman said McGregor forced her onto the bed and choked her.

According to BBC News, the paramedic who treated the woman’s injuries the next morning testified that he had never seen such intense bruises on the victim.

The woman said she then let McGregor do whatever he wanted because she feared for her life and that she would never see her daughter again.

“He let me go and I remember apologizing because I felt I had done something wrong and I wanted to assure him that I wouldn’t tell anyone so he wouldn’t hurt me again,” the woman testified in court.

She claimed that McGregor repeatedly choked her and later said, “Now you know how I felt in the Octagon where I tapped out three times,” referring to a UFC fight in which he had to concede defeat.

McGregor denied the accusations, claiming they had consensual sex. In court on the choking charge, he said: “It’s a lie among many lies. How could anyone believe that I, as a proud person, would highlight my flaws.”

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for just over six hours before deciding to reject McGregor’s version of events.

The woman then reported the incident to the police, but prosecutors refused to file charges, citing insufficient evidence and low chances of conviction.

McGregor did not speak to reporters after the verdict, but posted on social media that he would appeal the decision.

“The judge’s order and modest award were made for assault and not for grievous or exemplary damages. I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all of the evidence that DDP considered. I am now with my family and focusing on my future. Thank you. Thank you for all my support around the world,” he wrote.

McGregor, 36, and his longtime fiancée Dee Devlin have four children.

McGregor has not fought in the UFC since breaking his leg in a July 2021 loss to Dustin Poirier.

The Irish native is a former featherweight and lightweight champion with a record of 22-6, including 19 wins by knockout.

– Field level media